Multi Products and Range Resources Team Up on Important SPE Paper

We are excited to report that Matt Kravits, an engineer from Range Resources-Appalachia, presented our joint paper at the recent SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in Denver, Colorado in November. The paper was titled “Analysis of Plunger Lift Applications in the Marcellus Shale” and was based upon a comprehensive testing program conducted by Range and Multi in Marcellus horizontal wells. The test results were encouraging and supported our theory that plungerlift can be one of the most efficient and effective de-liquification methods in many shale plays. The full report can be viewed on our website www.plungerlift.com . Please review the excerpts below:

“Plunger lift has become common among some operators in the Marcellus shale for wells which have fallen below their critical gas rate. Our plunger lift program shows promise to maintain production after wells reach unstable flow up the tubing. Marcellus shale production can potentially benefit significantly if plungers eventually reach deviation angles of 90° since it will allow for production of fluid left in the horizontal lateral.”

“Laboratory testing performed by manufacturer (Multi Products) shows that at KOP, the drag force of the gas flow opposing the plungerr is reduced by 29%. The reason for this reduction of drag from the gas flow is because at KOP the plunger rests on the low side of the tubing. Since the plunger is on the low side of the tubing, the gas flow is directed to the high side of the tubing reducing the gas flow drag. So, at KOP, the plungerr's resistance to fall is reduced and the plunger fall velocity increases. This result is significant because it encourages further testing for the potential of plungers falling to 90 degrees . It is important to remove as much fluid as possible from the horizontal lateral of the wellbore, so if plungers can reach 90 degrees, it may enhance the wells ability to do so.”